Home › Guides › Ford › Forward Collision Avoidance
Ford Forward Collision Avoidance Problems From Camera and Radar Misalignment
Misaligned cameras and radar modules are the recurring issue in these Ford recalls. Mustang appears twice: certain 2020 vehicles have a misaligned forward-looking camera, while certain 2022 vehicles have a misaligned forward-facing camera or Image Processing Module A. Both notices identify effects on Pre-Collision Assist and other camera-dependent features. The 2021 Ranger and Bronco notice concerns cruise control radar alignment, with possible effects on adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. Certain 2023-2024 two-wheel-drive Escape vehicles with adaptive cruise control have another radar alignment problem, which can cause the system to mistake an overhead object for something in the vehicle's path.
Warning signs to watch for
- 2021 Ranger/Bronco radar recall (21S52): adaptive cruise control may fail to maintain a safe distance; automatic emergency braking may react slowly or not at all.
- 2023-2024 Escape radar recall (24S39): the vehicle may unexpectedly slow or stop when adaptive cruise control misclassifies an overhead object.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of the four listed notices carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction. The 2020 Mustang camera recall, 20S26, does not tell owners to stop driving. The 2022 Mustang camera recall, 22S34, also does not tell owners to stop driving. The same applies to the 2021 Ranger and Bronco radar recall, 21S52, and the 2023-2024 Escape radar recall, 24S39. Across these notices, there is no instruction to park outside while awaiting the specified camera or radar adjustment.
What the free repair involves
These four notices specify free dealer alignment work. For 20S26, dealers perform the Lane Departure Warning System camera alignment procedure; for 22S34, they realign the front-facing camera. For 21S52, dealers adjust the cruise control radar module angle. For 24S39, dealers adjust the radar module angle.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 3 |
| medium | 1 |
Models affected most
Where owners report forward collision avoidance problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under forward collision avoidance for the Ford models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Forward collision avoidance complaints |
|---|---|
| 2024 Ford Escape | 39 |
| 2023 Ford Escape | 18 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 14, 2024 | Ford Escape Adaptive Cruise Control Radar Misaligned | high |
| May 13, 2022 | Ford Mustang Front Camera Is Misaligned | medium |
| Dec 16, 2021 | Ford Bronco Cruise Control Radar May Be Misaligned | high |
| May 27, 2020 | Ford Mustang Camera Misalignment Affects Safety Features | high |
Common questions
Which Mustang driver assistance features are named in the camera recalls?
The 2020 Mustang notice, 20S26, and 2022 Mustang notice, 22S34, name Pre-Collision Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping System, Driver Alert, and Auto High Beam Control. Camera misalignment can prevent these features from functioning as intended.
Why might an affected Escape slow down for an overhead object?
Recall 24S39 covers certain 2023-2024 two-wheel-drive Escape vehicles equipped with adaptive cruise control. Its notice says radar misalignment can cause adaptive cruise control to classify an overhead object as being in the vehicle's path, causing unexpected slowing or stopping.
Does the Bronco radar recall also include Ranger vehicles?
Recall 21S52 names certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The notice identifies a misaligned cruise control radar module that can affect following distance and automatic emergency braking. Dealers adjust the module's angle free of charge.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.